What Is a Paper Bag? Types, Materials & Uses Explained
Updated guide for retailers, food businesses, and online sellers choosing packaging.
A paper bag is one of the oldest and still one of the most useful packaging formats around — a flexible container made from paper or paperboard, used to carry, protect, and present everything from groceries to gifts. Despite decades of plastic packaging, the paper bag has never really gone away, and thanks to plastic bag bans and growing demand for recyclable packaging, it is now more popular with businesses than ever.
In this guide, we'll break down exactly what a paper bag is made of, the main types you'll come across — including brown paper bags, kraft paper bags, and white paper bags — and how to pick the right one for your product, brand, and budget.
What Is a Paper Bag
A Simple Definition and a Bit of History
At its core, a paper bag is a bag made from a sheet of paper folded and glued (or stitched) to form a container with an opening at the top. The format dates back to the 1850s, when the first paper bag manufacturing machine was patented in the United States. Since then, the paper bag has become a packaging staple across retail, food service, and gifting — largely because it's lightweight, printable, and biodegradable.
What Paper Bags Are Made Of
Most paper bags are made from kraft paper, a strong paper produced through the kraft (sulfate) pulping process, which leaves the natural wood fibers largely intact. That's what gives kraft paper its characteristic strength and slightly rough texture. Paper bags can also be made from recycled paper pulp, bleached (white) paper, or specialty papers like glassine for grease resistance. Most reputable suppliers, including JiaroPack, use FSC-compliant, recyclable kraft paper so the bags are both sturdy and responsibly sourced.
Types of Paper Bags
Brown Kraft Paper Bags
Brown paper bags are the classic, unbleached kraft option. They're the most cost-effective and the most widely used across retail, takeout, and gifting because the natural brown tone works with almost any brand palette and takes printing well. Brown kraft bags also tend to be the strongest option pound for pound, since the pulping process preserves more of the fiber length.
White Paper Bags
White paper bags start with the same kraft pulp but go through an additional bleaching step to create a clean, bright white finish. Brands often choose white bags when they want their printed logo or colors to stand out more sharply, or when the packaging needs to feel more premium — think bakeries, cosmetics, and boutique retail. White bags typically cost a little more than brown kraft because of the extra processing.
Flat, Gusseted & Satchel-Bottom Bags
Beyond color, paper bags also differ by structure:
- Flat bags — no gusset, used mainly for lightweight items like flyers or small merchandise.
- Gusseted bags — have folded side panels that expand, giving the bag more volume for bulkier items.
- Satchel-bottom (square-bottom) bags — have a flat, reinforced base so the bag stands upright on its own, which is the standard construction for most retail and gift bags with handles.
How Paper Bags Are Made
Pulp Sourcing and Paper Weight (GSM)
Paper bag strength comes down largely to paper weight, measured in GSM (grams per square meter). Lighter bags (60–80 GSM) suit small, light items; mid-weight bags (90–120 GSM) handle typical retail and gift use; heavier bags (130+ GSM) are built for weightier products or repeated reuse. When you're comparing suppliers, always ask about GSM and load capacity rather than relying on the description alone.
Printing and Finishing Options
One reason paper bags remain popular with brands is how easily they take customization: flexographic or offset printing for logos and patterns, foil stamping for a premium look, and die-cut or ribbon handles for a more polished finish. Blank kraft bags are also popular with small businesses that want to hand-stamp or sticker their branding rather than commit to a full print run.
Common Uses by Industry
Retail and Shopping
Paper shopping bags remain a go-to for boutiques, apparel stores, and specialty retailers, both because of plastic bag regulations in many states and because a well-printed paper bag doubles as free advertising every time a customer carries it down the street.
Food and Bakery
Grease-resistant kraft bags are a staple for bakeries, cafés, and takeout restaurants — they're breathable (which matters for baked goods), inexpensive, and easy to brand with a stamped logo.
Gifting and Events
From wedding favors to holiday retail promotions, paper gift bags with handles are a fast, affordable way to package a gift without the cost of a rigid gift box. We cover this use case in more depth in our guide to paper gift bags.
How to Choose the Right Paper Bag
Matching Material to Use Case
| Use case | Recommended type |
|---|---|
| Everyday retail checkout | Brown kraft paper bags |
| Boutique / premium retail | White paper bags |
| Bakery / takeout food | Grease-resistant kraft bags |
| Gifting / events | Kraft or printed gift bags with handles |
Durability and Weight Capacity
Always check the stated weight capacity before ordering in bulk — a bag's handles and base are usually the first point of failure. JiaroPack's kraft paper gift bags, for example, use reinforced twisted-paper handles rated to hold up to 10 lbs, which covers most retail and gifting needs without upgrading to a rigid box.
Looking for wholesale paper bags? JiaroPack manufactures FSC-compliant kraft paper bags in the USA, with multiple sizes and bulk case pricing for retailers and online sellers. Browse the full paper bag collection or request a wholesale quote.
FAQs
What is the difference between a paper bag and a kraft bag?
"Kraft" refers to the pulping process used to make the paper, not the bag itself — so a kraft paper bag is simply a paper bag made from kraft paper, which is stronger than standard bleached paper. Most brown paper bags are, technically, kraft paper bags.
Are paper bags stronger than plastic bags?
Pound for pound, plastic tends to have higher tensile strength, but a well-made kraft paper bag with reinforced handles and a gusseted base can comfortably carry everyday retail and grocery loads.
Can paper bags get wet?
Standard paper bags lose strength quickly when wet. If your product needs moisture resistance, look for a waxed, laminated, or specially coated paper bag.
Are white paper bags more expensive than brown paper bags?
Generally yes, slightly — the bleaching process used to make kraft paper white adds an extra production step, which is reflected in the price.
Conclusion
A paper bag might look simple, but the material, weight, and construction you choose have a real effect on cost, durability, and how your brand comes across to customers. Whether you need brown kraft paper bags for everyday retail, white paper bags for a more premium feel, or a custom-printed option for your brand, matching the bag to your product and budget is the key decision. If you're sourcing in bulk, JiaroPack's paper bag collection is a good place to compare sizes and pricing side by side.
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